End of the year party cupcakes

I really can't believe that this school year is almost over! My sweet 2nd grade daughter has flown through this year with flying colors! She is such a smart and dedicated student. She LOVES to learn! She even does random reports (unassigned) because she enjoys doing research. (Insert confused face here???) Anyway, I can only hope that will continue through the rest of her school years. My baby boy is about to complete kindergarten. I must admit that at the beginning of the year I thought that we were going to have trouble with him. He DID NOT want to go to school. The whole week before classes began, he begged me to "home school" him. LOL! (I can promise you that was not happening!) Anyway, once he started school, he LOVED IT!! He loved his teacher and his "mates" (his way of referring to his classmates) and he did wonderfully! I can honestly say that both of them had a terrific year with much less drama than I had anticipated. Whew! (I know, I know . . . middle school awaits one day and the drama will be a plenty)!

So today, Mary Chandler had her end of the year party at school and she wanted me to make some cupcakes for the class. I was sort of stumped. Do you do something with a school theme? No, that wouldn't work. I had to think of something to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer. What fits that description better than a bright Mr. Sunshine?? I decided on these super cute Mr. Summer Sun cupcakes and then created a cupcake topper that stated "Welcome, Summer!" Now that just screams, "good-bye school" and "hello sun and fun"! Welcome, Summer! The Keels family has been missing you! :-)

Kentucky Derby Party

Every year some of our college friends throw a Kentucky Derby party at their home. It is always so much fun! Everyone dresses up and they have bounce houses and a great playset for all of the kids to play on. It is truly a wonderful time for all! There is also always great food. (What great southern party doesn't have great food?)


My friend Christina from Pluff Mudd Studio designed some PRECIOUS cupcake toppers and my friend Becki baked some adorable cupcakes for them to go on! There was also some great southern BBQ and other wonderful appetizers. I ventured out and decided to try out a new recipe for Shrimp and Grits. The recipe came from the Kentucky Derby website (www.kentuckyderby.com) but I also posted it below. It was FANTASTIC! I will definitely be using this recipe again very soon!

Shrimp and Grits with Red Eye Gravy

GRITS:

1CUP STONEGROUND GRITS
4 CUPS MILK
1 CUP HEAVY CREAM
2 T. UNSALTED BUTTER
1 CUP GRATED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

~ In a sauce pan combine milk, butter and cream. Bring to a light simmer, add grits. Reduce heat to low, stir frequently until grits are creamy ( approx. 10 minutes). Stir in cheese and salt and pepper to taste.


RED EYE GRAVY

2 T. UNSALTED BUTTER
3 OZ. KENTUCKY COUNTRY HAM (MINCED)
½ CUP SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS (SLICED)
½ CUP ONION (JULIENNE)
¾ CUP GREEN PEPPER (JULIENNE)
¼ CUP MADEIRA WINE
½ CUP BREWED COFFEE
1 CUP CHICKEN BROTH
½ CUP TOMATO (CONCASSED)
1 T. FRESH THYME (MINCED)
1 tsp. CORNSTARCH SLURRY ( 1 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp. water)

~ In a large sauté pan over high heat melt butter, add ham and brown. Add onions, green peppers, shiitakes and thyme sauté until the onions become translucent. Pour in Madiera, coffee, chicken broth, and tomatoes and bring to a light boil, stir in cornstarch slurry. Reduce heat and simmer sauce until it reduces by a third.


FINAL ASSEMBLY

20 SHRIMP (PEELED AND DEVEINED)
2 T. UNSALTED BUTTER

~ In a large sauté pan heat 1 T. butter and cook shrimp until pink. Add red eye gravy, finish sauce with 1 T. butter. Divide warm grits among 6 plates and top with shrimp and gravy. Garnish with grated Reggiano cheese and chives